Picture this Scenario:
Bob is a wheelchair user.
He goes to the theatre to see a play.
The theatre is accessible, has lifts, wheelchair spaces and there are no steps to circumnavigate.
Bob is led to space which is for wheelchair users with a good view of the performing area.
Question: Should Bob be given a Disability Concession considering he has access to the theatre and its facilities?
In order for access to become the norm, is it not unreasonable to expect that when access is provided, that we pay the full price?
Comedian Ray Bradshaw who is hearing and has Deaf parents jokes that whenever Deaf people are in the audience, he loses money because they ask for concessions and the irony is that he does not use a BSL Interpreter because he performs in BSL as well speaks.
These companies make access possible where they can and often at great expense. Concessions mean that they lose more money and in some cases for the smaller organisations: they are not able to provide accessible events on a regular basis because the cost in some cases is quite high.
Here is one example: to caption a theatre performance it can cost £850 for:
- The captioning equipment.
- Operator.
- Loading the script onto the equipment.
- Running the captions during the performance.
EiTR’s Dan believes that if access is provided, we should be prepared to pay the same as everyone else especially if the Disabled/Deaf communities are fighting for equality in the form of access and to be treated like everyone else.
There needs to be some form of concessions for the following:
- Personal Assistants/Carers.
- The further away from the stage you are, the tickets should be reduced in price especially if you are relying on an interpreter.
- If the wheelchair space is in a position where you are isolated from your loved ones or friends.
What other scenarios do you think that a concession should apply?
In short, let’s talk, work together and make a difference!